Timmy Leon Blair, affectionately known as "Tim" or "Papa Blair," passed away peacefully on September 14th, 2024, at the age of 73. Born on April 2nd, 1951, in Deerfield, Ohio, Tim was the son of Harold Lee Blair and Ruth Evelyn McClung. He grew up surrounded by the love of his family. He is survived in death by his sons, Robert & Jeffrey, his father-in-law, Edmond DiSanza, twin brother Terry, and siblings Harold, Joyce, Bill, and Gary. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy and  his youngest siblings Jeff & Janet.

Tim was a proud graduate of Deerfield High School, where he laid the foundation for his lifelong pursuit of knowledge and craftsmanship. A man of many talents, Tim spent the majority of his career in the steel industry, working for BICO Steel. However, his skills went far beyond the steel mill… Tim had a remarkable ability to fix, repair, or build just about anything. From woodworking and auto maintenance to appliance repair and general handyman tasks, he was a true jack-of-all-trades. Tim's natural curiosity and "bull-in-a-china-shop" determination ensured there was never a problem too tough for him to solve.

That love of fixing things lives on in his youngest son, Jeffrey, who followed his father's example of dedication and went on to become an electrical engineer after serving in the U.S. Navy. Although he spent his days working in steel, his love for drawing and design was a hidden passion. He was the first person to teach his eldest son, Robert, to draw, igniting a love for art and design that Robert carried into his own successful career in fashion marketing. Tim's talent and creativity were expressed in his unique way, whether it was sketching or designing personalized hard hats for his crew at the steel mill.

Though Tim had a quiet and reserved nature, his presence was felt deeply by all who knew him. He didn't need to stand out—his strength, loyalty, and kindness spoke volumes. A fiercely protective father and a father figure to many, Tim's nickname "Papa Blair" was well-earned. He was always ready to stand up for those in need, and his sons' friends were often embraced as part of his extended family. Tim was the kind of man who believed in helping others without hesitation, and his gentle heart left an impact on everyone he encountered. He was also a stout, sturdy man with a ginger beard and a handlebar mustache that he proudly wore since 2004. In his moments of frustration, Tim could resemble Yosemite Sam, complete with the occasional under-breath grumbling and a face that would turn as red as his hair. But to those who knew him best, these moments were endearing; they were proof of his deep passion for the people and things he cared about.

In the end, Tim Blair may not have been a man of grand gestures, but his love, loyalty, and lessons will carry on through his sons and all those whose lives he touched. His legacy of kindness, strength, and curiosity lives on in the hearts of those he loved. He will be deeply missed, but his memory will remain a source of comfort and inspiration to all who were lucky enough to know him.

A Celebration of his life will be held at Missing Falls Brewery in Akron, Ohio from 1-5 PM on Saturday September 28.